Switch



May 8, 1962 w. E. GRAYBEAL SWITCH Filed Oct. 28, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR WarrenEragb eal O5 f C ATTORNEY:

May 8, 1962 w. E, GRAYBEAL SWITCH 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 28, 1957 5 R V.. E 6 mum m 5 m o v n w WB A a 4. fw AW E F w w w a@ w w 4 Y H w B 4 5 4 5 3 545 w3 5 5 o 4 n O J 2 4 3 2 2 w .D .l. www... /2 2/ 2/ A( AT b O 7 9 n/n 5, AMB, 2 oO 5 /J 2 4 9 w 8 fm sms m ,ONHH p M O V 4 4 n L O M 5 May 8, 1962 w. E. GRAYBEAL 3,033,126

SWITCH Filed Oct. 28, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fics.

INVENTOR y WarrenEragbeaL "Y ATTORNEYS May 8, 1962 w. E. GRAYBEAL 3,033,126

SWITCH Filed 0G12. 28, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FielO INVENTOR Warren E. Gragbeal BY @wah ATTORNEY 5 May 8, 1962 w. E. GRAYBEAI.

SWITCH 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 28, 1957 T ,o m. A ..5 a r W e. E n e Q m v.. J B fr0` 4. 6l A. u 5 l. G w .l -nl F 5 m ,9 5

ATTORNEYS rates Uie This invention relates to switching apparatus. Specilically it relates to a switch developed for use in connection with apparatus designed to carry out the method of conveying and sorting articles disclosed in the pending application of Nelson l. Greller, Serial No. 484,618, filed lanuary 28, 1955, now abandoned in favor of continuing application Serial No. 29,117, led May 13, 196i), now Patent No. 2,984,366, May 16, 1961. While this switch is not limited to use with a sorting conveyor, it will be described in that environment.

The mechanism disclosed in the Greller application comprises a diverter unit supported above the surface of a moving conveyor, e.g. a conveyor belt. This unit includes an endless series of articulated guide bearings driven in a closed loop which has a diverting portion or course which extends diagonally across the conveyor. Above the guides is a rail forming a closed loop geometrically similar to the loop formed by the endless series of guides. Guided in each guide is a vertically shiftable diverting element which carries at its upper end a follower roll. rihis roll normally engages the rail. The roll, according to the present invention, is journalled on an axle normal to the surface of the diverting element to which it is secured. The follower roll is axially shiftable on this axle. It is provided with two encircling grooves, the outer one of which normally engages the rail already referred to. A second guide rail is provided and is normally not engaged by the follower roll. The second rail in top plan view is geometrically similar to the first-mentioned rail. However, it includes a lirst prtion lying substantially in the plane of the rst rail and a second portion lying beneath that plane. inclined rail portions connect the first and second portions of the second The lower portion of the second rail is spaced from the surface of the conveyor by a distance equal to the length of the diverting element. The interval between the diverter unit and the conveyor is, of course, selected having regard for the size of the articles conveyed.

The switch means of the present invention is intended to shift the follower roll axially on its axle out of engagement with the first rail and into engagement with the second. rIbis switch means may be located on either the first or the second rail. Essentially the switch comprises a short section of rail journallcd at its ends to the rail. xtending longitudinally along the rotary section of the rail is a projecting helical rib whose arcuate extent is approximately 93. The word helical (or helicoidal) as used in this specification and in the claims includes forms other than a true helix. The word helical is used in the sense of similar to a helix or generally h lical. Conveniently, it is a helix. A solenoid or other actuating means is employed to rotate the rotary section between active and inactive positions. ln the active position of the switch, the rib extends in the direction of travel of the follower roll from a point on the side of the rail slightly beneath the follower roll and thence upward to a position in which its end is above the center line of the rotary section on which it is mounted. When mounted on the first rail, the rib is engaged by a flange of the follower roll which thus causes the roller to be simultaneously raised and pushed axially to# ward the second rail onto which it drops when the flange reaches a point above the center line of the rotary section. When the switch is on the second rail, it engages a flange of the follower roll and pulls it toward the secice ond rail, causing the roller to be shifted axially on its .axle and raised and finally dropped onto the second rail. In either case, the switching movement of the follower roll is the same. lt will be seen that the helical rib serves as a camming surface to push or to pull the roller from one rail to the other.

After the follower rolls have completed their desired excursion along the second rail, they must be returned to the first rail. This return switching is accomplished by means of a rib similar to the rib on the rotary switch section. This second rib need not be on a rotary section, since it is desired to return all of the rollers from the second to the lirst rail after they have completed their excursion.

The invention will be described having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a side elevation of a diverter unit located at one of a plurality of removal stations in a conveyor sorting system.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary detailed top plan view showing' the switches.

HG. 3 is a sectional View taken substantially at mid length of the unit shown in FlG. l and looking to the left in that figure. Only so much of the apparatus is shown as lies in the immediate vicinity of the plane of section.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are fragmentary detail views showing the two operativeY positions of one form of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary detailed view showing one position of another form of the invention.

FlGS. 7, 8y and 9 are diagrammatic views, respectively, in top plan, side elevation and perspective, showing the first and second rails.

FIG. 1.0 is a sectional View of a modified form of diverter unit. This section corresponds generally to FlG. 3, with the exception that the apparatus is viewed looking to the right instead of to the left in FIG. l. Only so much of the apparatus is shown as lies in the immediate vicinity of the plane of section.

FlG. ll is a detailed view showing portions of the vdrive chains and the rear face of the guide bearings and the diverting elements.

FIG. l2 is an axial sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. ll.

FIGS. i3, 14 and l5 are detailed views of the modification shown in FIGS. ll and l2.

Refer firstV to FIG. l. The diverter unit is generally indicated by the reference number 2l and is located above a conveyor belt 22. The diverter unit 2l is Sustained by means of supports, not shown, attached to frames Z3 located at opposite ends of the unit. As shown in FG. 3, each frame 23 comprises uprights 24, which are connected together top and bottom by transverse members 2,5 and 26. An intermediate transverse member 27 is also attached between the uprights Z4. Sustained at the lower ends of the uprights Z4 and extending along each side of the unit 2?. between the framesV 23 is a Stringer 28' in the form of an angle iron. The stringers 28 4are parallel with the surface of the belt 22.

Similarly supported by the'frames 213 are stringers'29 which are located above and parallel with the stringers ES. The stringers 2S are connected at their ends by transverse members, each of which sustains a bearing 3l. Stringers 2? are similarly connected at their ends by members each of which carries a bearing 32 which is aligned with a corresponding bearing 3l. 33 are journalled in the bearings 3l and 32; The lefthand shaft 33, as shown in FIG. l, sustains a driven pulley 34 which is connected to be driven by a motor, not shown. Each shaft 33 carries two axially spaced sprockets. A chain 35 is trained around each horizontall Vertical shafts .'15 ly aligncd pair of sprockets. These chains move in closed loops parallel with the surface of the belt.

As shown in FIG. 3, each stringer 28 sustains on its upper surface a guide rail 36, circular in cross-section. A similar guide rail 37 is provided on the lower face of each stringer 29. Guided on the guide rail 37 is a series of grooved rollers 38. A second series of guide rollers 39 is supported by the guide rail 36.

Rollers 38 and 39 are connected in pairs to each of a series of vertical straps 41, which are connected at their upper and lower ends to the sprocket chains 35. Secured to the outer face of each of the straps 41 is a tubular member 42. Guide bushings 43 are secured in opposite ends of each tubular member 42. At the top of the unit 21 is provided a member 44 which defines a closed oval loop parallel with and geometrically similar to the loop formed by the sprocket chains 35. At the inner edge of the member 44 there is provided a guide rail 45 which is circular in cross-section. There is also a second guide rail 46 which is sustained in part by member 44 and in part by member (see FIG. l).

The courses followed by the guide rails and 46 will be most easily understood by referring to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. As here shown, the guide rail 45 forms a closed loop which lies in a plane parallel with the surface of the belt 22. The guide rail 46, on the other hand, follows a path which departs from the path of the guide rail 45 throughout a major portion of its travel. This path consists of an inclined portion 47 which extends downward around the end of the unit 21 and partially across its front face (las seen in FIG. 1), then parallel with the surface of the belt 22 |and finally upward along a portion 48 until it rejoins the path of the guide rail 45. The direction of motion of the diverting elements along the gunde rails 45 and 46 is indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

The diverting elements 50 comprise a cylindrical rod 49 which extends through and is guided by the bushings 43 in tubular member 42. Attached to the lower end of the rod 49 is a foot piece 51. Attached to the upper end of the rod 49 is a bracket 52. The outer ends of the foot piece 51 and the bracket 52 are connected by a sheet metal facing 53 of channel form. The bracket 52 carries a stub axle 54 on which is journalled a roller 55. The roller 55 is provided with axially spaced peripheral grooves 56 yand 57. The groove 56 normally engages the guide rail 45. It will the apparent that with the roller in this position, the diverting elements 50 are sustained in a raised position. In this position, the lower ends of the diverting elements 50 are spaced from the surface of the belt 22 a distance which is sutlicient to permit the passage of the highest package which may be carried thereby.

Refer now to FIG. 2 which is a top plan view of portions of the guide rails 45 and 46 at the rear of the unit 21, as shown in FIG. 1. The member 44 which supports the guide rails 45 and 46 is cut away, as indicated at 5S. The guide rail 45 in the region of the cut-out 58 is provided with `a rotatable section 59 which is journalled at its ends to the rail 45. A spiral projecting rib 61 is provided on the rotatable section 59 and follows a generally helical course through an arc of 90. Member 59 is connected to be rotated by a reciprocal member 60 which is pivotally connected thereto.

Referring to FIG. 4, the member 60 is there shown in the position which it normally assumes and in which the rollers 55 are permitted to remain in contact with rail 45 in raised position. As shown in FIG. 5, the rotatable section 59 is rotated through one-quarter of a revolution by upward movement of the member 60. In this position, the projecting rib 61 carried by the section 59 is engaged by the right-hand flange of the rollers 55 as they pass along this section. The right-hand flange of roller 55 rides up along the helical rib 61 to a point over the center line of the guide rail 45. When it reaches this position, the left-hand flange of the roller 55 has moved to the left past the center line of the guide rail 46. As the roller 55 is moved further to the left by the helical rib 61, the roller 55 drops onto the rail 46. Successive rollers 55 will be switched by the rib 61 until the member 60 and the rotary section 59 are returned to normal position (see FIG. 4).

Referring again to FIG. l, the diverting elements 50, indicated by the brackets A, are engaged by the guide rail 45 `and are sustained in their upper or non-diverting position. The elements 50 indicated by the bracket B have been moved from the guide rail 45 onto the guide rail 46 and are moving downward toward diverting position. The element 50 indicated at C is commencing travel across the belt in diverting position. The elements 50 indicated by the bracket D have travelled substantially halfway across the belt 22 and are in diverting position. The elements 50 indicated by the bracket E have crossed the belt 22 and have started upward toward the plane of the closed loop defined by the guide rail 45.

After the elements 50 have moved across the belt in their diverting position and have been retumed to the plane of the closed loop of rail 45, they are switched back onto the rail 45 from the rail 46 by a switch similar to the one which caused them to be switched onto the rail 46. Referring to FIG. 2, this switch comprises a helical rib 66 which projects from the rail 46. This rib is fixed, i.e., it does not rotate.

In the modification shown in FIG. 6, the rotary section 59, iand the rib 61 carried by it, are located in the rail 46. So located, the rib 61, when rotated counterclockwise from the illustrated inactive position, will be engaged by the left-hand ange of the roller 55, as seen in FIG. 6. The roller will thus be raised and shifted axially along Iaxle 54. The groove 57 of roller 5S will straddle the crest of the rib 61 during the terminal portion of its travel above the section 59 and will drop onto the rail 46. Essentially, the switch as shown in FIG. 6 pulls the roller onto rail 46. On the other hand, the switch shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 pushes the roller onto rail 46. Roller movement is the same in either case.

Rotation of the section 59 results from reciprocation of the member 60. This member 60 is attached to the core of a solenoid, not shown. This solenoid may be controlled manually or automatically.

In the following description of the modified form of the invention shown in FIGS. 10, ll and l2, primed reference numerals have been used to indicate parts which are essentially the same as their counterparts in the FIG. 1 embodiment.

As shown in FIG. l0, the diverter unit 21 includes frames 23'; there being one such frame at each end of the diverter unit. The frame 23 comprises uprights 24' connected together top `and bottom by transverse members 25' and 26'. Extending along each side of the diverter unit and connected between the frames 23 are stringers 28. Extending along each side of the diverter unit and connecting the upper ends of the frames 23 are stringers 29. Secured to the upper and lower faces of the stringers 28 and 29', respectively, are guide rails 36 and 37 which yare circular in cross-section. Supported by the frame of the diverter unit at its opposite ends are pairs of sprockets, not shown. Trained around each horizontally aligned pair of sprockets are drive chains 35.

Connected to the upper chain 35 is a series of angle brackets 81. Connected to the lower chain 35 is a series of angle brackets 82. A pair of cylindrical rods 83 interconnect each aligned pair of upper and lower brackets 81 and 82 (see FIGS. 11 and 12). Each bracket 81 carries a roller 38 which engages the guide rail 37'. Each bracket 82 carries a roller 39' which engages the guide rail 36. The diverting element 50' includes a facing 53. At the lower end of the facing 53' is a foot piece 51 and at the upper end there is a hanger bracket 52. The foot piece 51 and the hanger bracket 52 are interconnected by a cylindrical rod 49'. The hanger bracket 52 is guided by and slidable on the rods 83. The cylindrical rod 49 is slidable in and guided by the bracket 82. Connected to the hanger bracket 52 is a stub axle 54' on which is journalled an axially shiftable roller 55 provided with axially spaced peripheral grooves 56' and 57.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. l', 1l and 12, guide rail 45 has been omitted and its supporting function is performed by a hanger generally indicated by the reference numeral 84. Hanger 84 is rigidly attached to the bracket 81. It is generally U-shaped in form and the groove 56 of the roller 55 is received by the cross member 8S of the hanger 84, as is best shown in FIGS. 10 and l2.

The rotary switch is formed in the rail 46 in the same manner as is shown in FIG. 6. It includes a rotary section 59 and a helical projecting rib 61. The section 59 is connected to be rotated by a solenoid 86 which is pivotally connected thereto by means of a link 87.

It is believed that the arrangement of parts and operation of this modified form of the invention will be clearly apparent from a consideration of the operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 6. The re-location of the upper chain 3S to the position of the chain 35 makes it possible to support the diverter elements in their inactive position by means of a hanger carried by the upper chain 35. The principal advantage is that the rollers 55 need rotate only when they are in their diverting position, i.e. when they Iare on the rail 46. Wear is thus reduced.

In FIG. y:10, the roller 55 on the left-hand side of that figure is moving away from the viewer and the roller 55' on the right-hand side of that figure is moving toward the viewer. When the solenoid 86 is energized to rotate the rotary section 59 90 counterclockwise from its illustrated position, the rib 61 when engaged by the flange of roller 55', will lift that roller out of engagement with the hanger bracket 84 and shift it axially along the axle 54 and toward the bracket 52. When the roller 55 reaches the end of the rib 61', it will drop onto the rail 46 along which it will be guided to travel in a path including the inclined portions 47 and 48 and the intervening diverting portion of travel (see FIGS. 7, 8 and 9). The roller 55 is returned to the hanger 84 by means of a stationary projecting helical rib similar to the rib 66,

When rotary section 59 is rotated as a roller 55 is about to leave or is leaving it, there is a possibility that that roller will not be moved far enough to insure its dropping onto rail 46. Occasionally, therefore, a roller 55 will leave the section 59 in the position shown in FIG. 13 with one flange resting on the crest of rail 46 and the other resting on hanger 84. This is a stable condition and exists until the course of rail 46 departs from the level on the cross-member 85 of hanger 84. It is desirable to return the roller 55' to the hanger 84 or to complete its movement onto rail 46 before the course of rail 46' has departed materially from the course of hanger 84. To accomplish this, rail 46 includes a raised portion 46" over which the rollers 55' pass immediately `after switching. If the condition illustrated in FIG. 13 results from partial switching of a roller S', that roller, while travelling along the raised portion 46", will have the position shown in FIG. 14. This is an unstable condition and because of slight irregularities of the rail 46" or of roller 55', the roller will drop to one side or the other. If it falls to the left side, groove 57 will engage the rail 46 in the desired manner. However, if it falls to the right, the roller will drop back onto the hanger 84 and be retained by it. This will mean that one less diverting element than the number desired will be placed in diverting position, but this will not seriously disrupt removal of any but the smallest packages. Even diversion of small packages will not be affected if the control of the switching is such that extra diverting elements are selected for each diversion, as only the first and last elements of any group of elements can be incompletely switched.

The use of the switch of the present invention is not limited to diverter units of the type shown. Other uses of the switch will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. Switch means to shift a movable flanged follower transversely of its direction of movement between limiting positions in which, respectively, the follower engages supporting means or a guide rail, said switch means comprising a section of said guide rail, said section having a follower-engaging surface in the form of a circular cylinder; a helicoidal camming surface extending longitudinally along said section, the helicoidal surface and the follower-engaging surface being substantially coaxial and the camming surface arranged to Abe engaged by the follower as an incident to follower movement longitudinally along said section and serving to impart two components of transverse movement to said follower, one component effective to disengage the follower and its flange from the rail section and the other to shift said follower transversely toward its other limiting position.

2. Switch means operable to shift a movable, grooved roller follower transversely to its direction of movement and between positions in which respectively it engages and is guided by one or the. other of two guide rails, said switch means comprising a rail section in one of said guide rails, circular in cross-section and rotatable about its longitudinal axis between active and inactive positions; and a helicoidal cam projecting from said section, said cam in said active position being engaged by said roller as an incident to roller movement and serving to raise said roller from one of said rails and shift it transversely toward and onto the other rail.

3. The combination defined in claim 2 in which the rotatable rail section is in the guide rail engaged by the follower before it is shifted.

4. The combination defined in claim 2 in which the rotatable rail section is in the `guide rail engaged by the follower after it is shifted.

5. The combination of a guide bearing movable along a predetermined path; a member guided by said bearing; an axle carried by the member and projecting in a direction normal to the axis of the guide bearing and to its direction of travel; Va support carried by said guide bearing; a guide rail portion circular in cross-section and parallel with and adjacent to said path; a roller having two peripheral grooves journalled on and axially shiftable along said axle between limiting positions, in one of which one of said grooves is engaged by said guide `rail portion, and in the other of which the other groove is engaged by said support; and a helical rib on and coaxial with said rail portion adapted to be engaged by said roller as an incident to movement of the guide bearing and serving, when engaged, to `shift said roller from one limiting position to the other.

6. The combination of a guide bearing movableI along a predetermined path; a member guided in said bearing; an axle carried by the member and projecting in a direction normal to the axis of the guide bearing and to its direction of travel; a first guide rail portion parallel with and ladjacent to said path; a second guide rail portion parallel with and adjacent to said first guide rail portion, each rail portion being circular in cross-section; a roller having two peripheral grooves journalled on and axially shiftable along said axle between limiting positions, in one of which one of said grooves is engaged by said first guide rail portion, and in the other of which the other groove is engaged by said second guide rail portion; and a helical rib on and coaxial with one of said rail portions adapted to be engaged by said roller as an incident to movement of the guide bearing and serving, when engaged, to shift said roller from one limiting position to the other.

7. The combination of a vertical guide bearing movable along a predetermined path; a member guided by said bearing; an axle carried by the member and projecting in a direction normal to the aXis of the guide hearing and to its direction of travel; a support carried by said guide bearing; a first guide rail portion parallel with and adjacent to said path, said first rail portion and support being horizontally aligned; a roller having two peripheral grooves journalled on and axially shiftable along said axle between limiting positions, in one of which one of said grooves is engaged by said first guide rail portion, and in the other of which the other groove is engaged by said support; a helical rib on and coaxial with said rail portion adapted to be engaged by said roller as an incident to movement of the guide bearing and serving, when engaged, to shift said roller from one limiting position to the other; and a second guide rail portion abutting said rst guide rail portion and parallel with and adjacent to said path and including a raised section higher than the rst guide rail portion, said second guide rail portion being longitudinally spaced from the first portion in the direction of guide bearing movement.

8. Switch means selectively effective or ineffective to shift a movable, grooved follower transversely to its direction of movement between limiting positions in which, respectively, the follower engages a guide rail or supporting means, said switch means comprising a portion of said guide rail, said portion being circular in cross-section; a helical rib coaxial with and extending along said rail portion; and means operable to rotate said rib about its axis between a non-switching position in which the rib is out of engagement with the follower as the latter moves, and a switching position in which said rib is engaged by said follower and it is shifted transversely from one limiting position to the other.

9. The combination defined in claim 8 and a second rail in which the supporting means is a portion of said second rail, circular in cross-section and parallel with the guide rail.

10. The combination dened in claim 8 in which the follower, when switched, is moved from the supporting means onto the guide rail.

11. The combination defined in claim 9 in which the follower, when switched, is moved onto the second rail.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 709,692 Acklin Sept. 23, 1902 1,108,467 Newton Aug. 25, 1914 1,201,080 Nikonow Oct. 10, 1916 2,511,027 Werner June 13, 1950 

